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Pavel Burian

June 30, 2020 Politics

Zeman says Black Lives Matter movement is racist

Zeman says Black Lives Matter movement is racist - Czech Points

Czech President Miloš Zeman says the Black Lives Matter movement is racist because all lives matter.

Zeman said that society in the Czech Republic and the United States is currently facing attacks on its citizens’ independence. “We can’t ignore this danger, we have to face it,” he said. Zeman criticized the riots in the streets, the destruction of statues, and the burning of cars. He added that he is at the event as an independent citizen and as a friend of the USA. “And from both of these roles, I say that the Black Lives Matter slogan is racist because all lives matter,” Zeman said. He gave the speech in English.

At the celebration, Zeman announced that his speech would be a little rude and not as warm as usual. He cited verses from the song Old Time Religion to criticize opinion leaders and American protesters’ behavior. “What was good enough for my father, what was good enough for my mother, is good enough for me,” he said.

According to him, companies in the USA and the Czech Republic need to maintain their freedom to form opinions and common sense. “The same goes for so-called opinion leaders. I don’t need any new big brothers, and I don’t need any new opinion leaders,” Zeman said.

The celebrations at the residence of the US Ambassador were attended by, among others, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (YES) and his wife Monika, Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček (for YES), Senate Chief Miloš Vystrčil (ODS), Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), Cardinal Dominik Duka and Chief of General Staff Aleš Opata.